Primary Interest

         We study the molecular mechanism of stem cell pluripotent and somatic reprogramming, elucidate the process of the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells and reprogramming of somatic cells, and use iPS cells to establish tumor models, which shows significant importance to the clinical application of stem cells. Based on these, we carry out the following researches.

         1. Epigenetics and Phase Separation: Using the means of gene editing and proteomics, we study the epigenetic reoulation mechanisms of pluripotent stem cells, somatic cell reprogramming and early embryonic development, including the regulatory mechanism and function of phase separation.

         2. Three-dimensional Genome Architecture: Using chromosome three-dimensional structure technology (HiC, HiChIP etc.), we study the  regulatory mechanism of stem cell pluripotency.

         3. Bioinformatics and Machine Learning:  We carry out epigenomics studies by using bioinformatics technology. Two-dimensional genomics, transcriptome, proteomics data and three-dimensional HiC, HiChIP data, were integrated to study cell fate and disease occurrence.

         4. Stem Cell-Based Disease Modeling: Using induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) to establish human disease models, especially breast cancer models, and to study their pathogenesis, early diagnosis. Our long term goal is to screen drugs though these models.

        本课题组通过深入研究干细胞的多能性以及体细胞重编程的分子机理，阐明胚胎干细胞的自我更新以及体细胞重编程的发生发展过程，并利用iPS细胞建立肿瘤疾病模型，对于干细胞的临床应用具有重要意义。基于此，实验室正在开展以下几个方面研究：

1.  表观遗传与相分离：利用基因编辑和蛋白质组学等手段研究多能干细胞、体细胞重编程以及早期胚胎发育的表观遗传调控机制，包括相分离的的调控机制和功能；

2.  三维基因组：结合染色质三维结构技术（HiC、HiChIP等）研究干细胞多能性的三维基因组调控机制；

3.  生物信息学与机器学习：利用生物信息学技术进行表观组学研究，整合二维的基因组学、转录组学、蛋白组学等数据和HiC、HiChIP等染色质三维数据，进行细胞命运和疾病发生的研究；

4.  干细胞疾病模型：利用诱导多能干细胞（iPS细胞）建立人类疾病模型，特别是肿瘤模型，并利用模型研究其发病机理、早期诊断，长期目标为筛选药物。